New survey ‘the Great British Hedgerow Survey’ launches

Hedgerows are becoming increasingly fragmented which is threatening the wildlife that depends on them.

The wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), is launching a new national survey, the Great British Hedgerow Survey. It is encouraging the UK to health-check the nation’s hedgerows in an attempt to safeguard the future of this important habitat.

The survey offers instant feedback about the health of each hedge. As well as tailored advice on what type of management will ensure it thrives in the future. The results also provides conservationists with vital data helping build a national picture of the health of Britain’s hedges.

The survey attracted the attention of BBC Countryfile, and earlier this month presenter Helen Skelton joined PTES’ Key Habitats Project Officer Megan Gimber and Dormouse & Training Officer Ian White in Warwickshire, to find out why hedgerows are in need of more wide-scale management.

Landowners and farmers already assess the health of their hedges to guide their ongoing management, but by taking part in the Great British Hedgerow Survey, they will receive detailed and tailored management advice which will introduce the idea of managing hedgerows in a cycle.

For wildlife groups and individuals, the website also provides a handy place to store and display the hedgerow data they collect. Taking part will contribute valuable information to a national dataset that will inform conservation decisions in the future.

Tune into BBC Countryfile on Sunday 25th August at 19:00 on BBC One, and tweet along using @BBCCountryfile and @PTES, using #HealthyHedgerows.